Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-10-08
DIVISION.

DIVISION.
The division convention at Fargo on
Tuesday was in many respects a re-
markable gathering. 1t was non-parti-
san in Its purpose and n%on-partisan in
Its makeup. For the first time in the
history of North Dakota, Democrats and
Republicans mingled, worked and vo'
ted together with common object
in view. There was no discord, no
strife, no attempt to pervert the aim
which brought the convention into ex-
istence.
Another result of the convention was
the full development of the arguments
in favor of division. No thoughtful man
should neglect to read the "address to
the voters of North Dakota" printed on
the inside pages of this issue. Its adop-
ton by the convention was unanimous,
and so was the vote by which it was re-
solved that the address should be fur
nished for publication to every news
paper In the North.
In the general discussion of the di.
vision question there were some new
and very cogent reasons given for di-
vision from the standpoint of economy.
Chief among these may be cited the
single item of taxes paid by the rail
roads doing business in the territory.
The last report of the territorial treas
urer shows that the total tax paid by
railroads in Dakota is $163, OS5.49. of
this amount the roads doing business in
North Dakota pay $l04,673.15, leaving
South Dakota to pay the insignificant
sum of $5S,422.34. Of course this money
goes into one treasury to be a%ppropria-
ted and distributed by II legislature.
Now the question arises, how and in
what proportion are the appropriations
made as between the north and the
south? The answer is found IN the fact
that South Dakota, having q big majority
in the legislature. has twelve public in
situations, while North Dakota has but
four. In other words, South Dakota
gets $1O4,673.15 of North Dakota rail.
road taxes to build and maintain twelve
public institutions, while North Dakots
receives but SIS. 422,34 of South Dakota
railroad taxes to build and maintain
four public institutions. And the north
is in big luck if it gets a dollar for any
purpose, rs it is wholly at the mercy of
the South Dakota legislative majority.
>, There are other inequalities which
cannot fail to appeal directly to the ia,
, payers of North Dakota. For instance
the treasurer's report shows that the
!, total tax received from all the counties
in the territory is sSlO,953.S9. OF this
amount eight counties (sir in North Da'
kota and tuo in South Dakota) pay $14O,'
900, or nearly one-half Of the entire tax
In other words, six counties in North
Dakota pay ~three-fourths of half the on
tire tax, while South Dakota pays
one-sourth of half the entire tax
j. This shows the difference in the
wealth and importance of what are
/, considered leading counties i'll the two
sections, and is another item in the ar
gument that division is all economical
, measure.
:. There is another thing to be consid'
, cred, especially by those who have beer
!, led to believe that division means the
admission of South Dakota as a state
while North Dakota must remain us s
territory. 1t means nothing of the kind
Division means division alone. The
vote on the question on the Sth Of Nov
. ember is the necessary preliminary stel
toward division. Congress must con
v slider our appeal favorably or go on rec
! ord as a body that deliberately deals il
injustice. After division comes tn
!, question of statehood, and both sections
! have the population and wealth and ar
entitled to admission at the same time
. South Dakota has no advantage owe
q North Dakota in this regard. The vot
. is solely for division, and from a fnan
. cial standpoint alone North Dakot'
\ should mako itself heard.
The INTER.O OCEAN cannot believe tina
). the people Of North Dakota are willin
70 to continue paying the fiddler Will
:. South Dakota does the da ncing.
d| Fresh oysters ut Maurice's. If
Fresh oysters ut Maurice's. If